A math or science class in America's public schools often adds up to the unqualified teaching the uninterested, says a panel of scientists and educators that wants the federal government to step in.
"When 47 percent of our nation's 17-year-olds cannot convert nine parts out of 100 to a percentage, we know that math education is not working," said a report issued Sunday by the Carnegie Commission on Science, Technology and Government."When 63 percent of American adults think that lasers work by focusing sound waves (instead of light waves), we know that science education in this country is not working," it said.
More than two-thirds of elementary science teachers lack adequate preparation in science, and more than 80 percent are deficient in mathematics, the report said, quoting professional associations of math and science teachers. Only 7 percent of high school seniors are prepared for college science courses, it said.
"Everybody can learn what they need to know about math and science, and we've got to stop accusing the kids who are a little slow with lacking talent," said Lewis Branscomb, a professor at Harvard University and chairman of the commission's panel on science and math education.
Iris Carl, president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, agreed with the report's assessment of teacher qualifications, especially in the elementary schools.
"The majority of elementary school teachers are prepared by their certifying universities to be reading specialists, but very few have sufficent math to be considered teachers of mathematics in the true sense," she said.
Education is mostly a state and local responsibility. But the panel said the federal government should be involved in recruiting teachers, setting curriculum goals, coordinating research into teaching methods and developing textbooks and other educational materials.
Under the commission's plan, the National Science Foundation and the Education Department would split responsibility for improving technical education. They would coordinate their work through a new joint office.
The department would encourage reform of elementary and secondary schools. The foundation would concentrate on universities, where math and science teachers are trained.
Luther Williams, assistant director for education and human resources at the National Science Foundation, said he agreed with the goal of more collaboration between the foundation and the Education Department.
"The details are another matter," he said. "Obviously, there's no need for an additional body. That would be counterproductive."